For more than 150 years, the sport of squash has been played roughly the same way. Markos Kern, founder of German startup Fun With Balls GmbH, believes it is time for an update.
Last June the company launched interactiveSquash, which uses augmented reality to create a unique and immersive playing experience. InteractiveSquash augments the front wall of the court with a variety of projections to produce digitally enhanced interactive squash games.
The technology was designed with both serious athletes and casual enthusiasts in mind as the over 20 available games and training modules range in experience and intensity. Games such as “TicTacSquash” and “BlockSquash” can be played with multiple athletes, where as other more challenging training modules were designed specifically to provide a personal workout.
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One of the greatest perks of interactiveSquash is that its players are not required to use any special equipment aside from the installed hardware, which can be integrated with nearly any existing squash court. The system uses a ceiling-mounted Panasonic laser-diode projector to produce clear images on the front wall. This projector works in concert with several cameras, which record data such as speed, reaction, steps and even burned calories.
Players are able to interact with the system directly via the touch function on the front wall or through the use of the soon to be launched interactiveSquash app. The app allows players to select games, book courts, track their progress, and compare shot statistics with other users worldwide.
Although interactiveSquash is already groundbreaking in its own right, the company is continuing to build and test new features. On Feb. 22, Fun With Balls announced it will soon be releasing an update that adds advanced video tracking and analysis. Using four strategically placed cameras, players and coaches will be able to review training sessions in real-time through the app. Additionally, the system utilizes intelligent A.I. that can automatically analyze movement and sound an alarm if a player is out of position.
The company has already received high praise from squash executives around the world including Tommy Berden, CCO of the PSA World Federation, who said in a statement, “Interactive squash is one of the most advanced initiatives the sport has seen in recent years.”